Actually I forgot to answer how to factor. There are different levels of factoring. I can better help you if I know what class you are taking this for. I am on IRC right now, i'll be on for a little while, so get on if you read this.
Addition and Subtraction: You need to have the same denominator in all terms to add 'em. Example: 4/5 + 6/8 + 7/4 = ?? What would a common denominator for this one be? The easiest answer is always found by multplying all the denominators together, but in this case, we note that 8 is a multiple of 4, so your common denominator is 40 (aka 5*8). Now, you want to set all terms to that denominator, so you need to multiply the first one by 8/8 (you're essentially multiplying them by 1, hence why it's a perfectly legit operation), the second by 5/5, and the third by 10/10, leaving you with: 32/40 + 30/40 + 70/40 = 132/40 = 33/10 (after reducing to lowest terms) Multiplication and Division: In multiplication, you multiply all numerators together, and all denominators together: 5/6 * 7/8 = (5*7) / (6*8) = 35/48 In division, you flip the second term and then multiply the terms together: (5/6) / (6/8) = 5/6 * 8/6 = 40/36 = 10/9 (after reducing to lowest terms) As far as factoring goes, all you really need to know and familiarize yourself with are the common math properties: Distributive property: a*(b+c) = a*b + a*c Associative property (which also applies to multiplication): (a+B) + c = a + (b+c) = (a+c) + b However, when you're mixing operations such as addition and multiplication, you need to keep the order of operations in mind. 1. ALWAYS handle parentheses first. 2. Then comes multiplication/division, from left to right. 3. Then comes addition/subtraction, from left to right. So, take this example: 5 + 8 * 7 - 4 + 10 / 5 Since multiplication and division come before addition and subtraction, your next step is this: 5 + 56 - 4 + 2 = 59 Aside from that, it's hard to really "help" you with factoring. It's all about being aware of order of operations and the different properties. Show me some examples and I'll help you out...
Gangstarrr already took care of this math issues on IRC with randomkid and me on the first page of this topic.
thanks everyone, +rep to comatosis and ataki for trying hard. i have taken the exam now, i think i did quite bad because there was alot of stuff i hadn't heard of like box charts and stuff. but thanks people.
Let me just say that the textbooks vcan be very helpful unles sthey CORE. CORE MATH SUCKX. I ATE IT I WANT TO SHOOT IT AND IT REALLY SUCK. The reason the teachers like it is because it involves less teahcing. I would knwo from experience. And also, if anyone wants I will do math or science help online vie MSN or AIM. My MSN is [email protected] My AIM is J4nu5 when u message me just lemme knwo you're from here
